Page 19 of The Vampire Oracle

I rolled my eyes. “That’s all you care about? Money?”

He scoffed, eyeing me. “Says the person who will be getting paid in the academy. I worked hard to get my own shop and to get better. I am taking a week off from work for you. The least you can do is pay me this time.”

I nodded. “I know! I know! I got you. I’ll even pay for everything you need to upgrade. We can make a list tonight and send one of the guys out tomorrow to get the supplies.”

“One of the guys. There’s more than these three?” Cozen eyed the guys.

I nodded. “Beck’s twin, Kier’s brother, Abel’s brother, and then his boyfriend. They’ll be around a lot this next week.”

“Wow. You even made friends. Boyfriend and friends? Who are you?” His dark eyes ran over me, a smirk playing on his lips.

I snorted at his sarcasm, but he knew that about me. I wasn’t very sociable and kept to myself most of the time. So being so outgoing and making friends was new to me.

Kier pulled up to the house and Cozen shared a look with me. I smiled, trying not to be too shocked. We grew up with nothing, and I knew that.

Cozen’s eyes widened the moment we stepped in, and he said, “Beautiful home, Kier.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you in the academy too?”

Kier shook his head. “I am a Father, while everyone else in this house is a Bishop, besides Abel and Sal.”

Cozen’s bright eyes widened. “Didn’t peg you as that student who goes for teachers.”

I rolled my eyes. “They aren’t much older than me. Kier is the oldest at like, what? Thirty?”

Kier growled at me like a dog.

“Forty, sorry.” I corrected it.

“Pushing it, Ashbourne,” he muttered, moving towards the kitchen where Osiris was… shirtless. He looked like he hadn’t been sleeping. Sweat drenches his olive skin, jet-black hair stuck to his skin. He licked his lips, tongue running over the scar on the corner. Our eyes met, and I could remember the party and how he eyed me like I was going to be his. And then… the guy he saved me from.

Though I didn’t need the help that time.

“Osiris, this is Ashbourne’s mechanic and friend, Cozen,” Kier introduced before I could get a moment. “Cozen, this is my younger brother.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Osiris took Cozen’s hand and said, “Nice to meet you too. Didn’t really know about you until today.”

“Same for you,” Cozen said. “She’s full of surprises, isn’t she?”

Osiris nodded, looking back at me. “Briar said we are ordering out tonight so… I pick the movie.”

“Not how that works,” I muttered.

“Too late, Ashbourne.” He teased, passing me. I bumped his shoulder, checking him. He chuckled at me, moving back to… wherever he came from.

“Let’s get you set up,” Kier said. “We need our girl’s arm back.”

Cozen looked at me when Kier said, “our girl.” I had to admit I was just as shocked as well. Kier had never said that about me before… though I wish it didn’t have the effect that it had on me now.

Kier led the way through the living room and down the hall where Osiris had gone. I could hear the faint thudding each time his fist hit something, maybe a bag. We entered a giant gym room with multiple workout appliances.

“Feel free to use whatever you need or like to use. Make yourself at home,” Kier mentioned to Cozen.

I scoffed. “You didn’t say that to me.”